Gingko Biloba Benefits For Men

Can This Brain-Boosting Herb Also Help You In The Bedroom?

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Just going to put it out there: ginkgo biloba may just be one of the most fun combinations of words to say, period (go on, say it three times in a row). Primarily known as a memory booster, 0.7 percent of U.S. adults take the extract, which comes from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree. And fun fact: the name Ginkgo is regarded as a misspelling of the Japanese gin kyo, which translates to "silver apricot.”

“Ginkgo is actually very ancient tree that we use for things like circulation, brain for and asthma,” says Sara-Chana Silverstein RH, master herbalist and author of the upcoming book called Moodtopia: Be in Control of Your Moods So They Don't Control You. “The best time to make medicine from the leaves is in the fall when the green leaves turn yellow and begin to fall off the tree.”

Gingko biloba is actually one of the longest living tree species in the world. But why do we care about ginkgo biloba? Well, the extract has been known to enhance brain health and even increase sexual energy.

Gingko biloba is said to boost oxygen delivery to the body, by both breaking up platelets that help blood flow throughout the body more easily and opening the vessels that deliver blood to your brain. Because of this, there’s some buzz that it could help in between the sheets by improving sexual function for men with erectile dysfunction. Because of that improved blood flow, studies have shown that gingko can help improve memory function and has been used to treat patients suffering from dementia. Research has even shown that taking ginkgo biloba daily can improve vision in people with glaucoma.

Plus, it can be a total game-changer for men looking to buckle down and get shit done. The supplement is often touted as a brain booster for those who are prone to fog. Guys who took 184 milligrams of ginkgo biloba each day for 3 weeks were 20 percent more productive in the afternoon than those who didn’t, according to a recent Purdue University study.

There’s more: kaempferol, one of the most important constituents in ginkgo flavonoids, has been shown to inhibit pancreatic cancer cells from growing, according to research published in the Journal of Surgery Research. With just four days of treatment, cell growth was inhibited by 79 percent.

While the dosing suggestions vary depending on why you’re taking the extract, 80 to 120 milligrams by mouth is a safe start (which can be taken up to three times daily). But as with any supplement, it’s important to be careful: Ginkgo can be a blood thinner, which means that those who use certain medications that slow clotting (think Ibuprofen) or with clotting disorders need to beware. And if you experience any common side effects of taking ginkgo, like nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, stomach ache, restlessness, or vomiting, then definitely check in with your physician.

Nature's Answer Alcohol-Free Ginkgo Leaf

If you can slip something into a beverage that you’re already consuming on the regular (think protein shakes, coffee), then it doesn’t feel like a burden to add it to your everyday routine. Add three drops of this extract into your afternoon blend for a pick-me-up with little-to-no impact on taste.$14.38 at Amazon.com

Paired with phosphatidylserine, which acts as a natural treatment for Alzheimer’s, this supplement aims to improve overall cognitive function with its 120mg dose. For best results, take it with a full glass of water.$13.63 at Amazon.com

Herbal Secrets Ginkgo Biloba

Start small with these 60mg tablets, and it could help you chill out. People with generalized anxiety disorder who took ginkgo experienced better anxiety relief than those who opted for a placebo, according to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.$9.50 at Amazon.com

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